Red Bull should have signed Carlos Sainz.
That was the overwhelming verdict from RacingNews365 readers in response to our latest poll, and as Red Bull continues to find itself in a quandary as to who should partner Max Verstappen in 2025.
Yes, Sergio Perez has a contract, a new one-plus-one deal that was signed in June that guarantees him a seat for next season and with an option for the following year.
But the Mexican driver's performances and points-scoring ability have been dire since the Miami Grand Prix. Over the following 15, he has amassed a pitiful 48 points.
That has resulted in constant speculation over his future that neither team principal Christian Horner nor advisor Helmut Marko have shut down.
RB duo Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda appear to be in a potential shoot-out over the possibility of replacing Perez, whilst Williams sensation Franco Colapinto is also heavily linked.
According to the F1 fans, however, Red Bull should have signed Sainz early on before Williams swooped in just before the summer break given the Spanish driver's form, recently winning the Mexico City GP to add to his earlier success in Australia.
A remarkable 87% said Sainz should be in the seat alongside Verstappen next season, with only 8.5% believing Red Bull saw something in him it did not like. The remainder were unsure.
Red Bull definitely missed the boat, it seems.
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